If a tropical escape is on your radar this year, Qantas is giving you a very compelling reason to lock it in.
As more travellers opt for an island getaway, Qantas has launched a massive flight sale discounting more than 18,000 seats to eight destinations including Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Samoa and Norfolk Island.
Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) chief executive Dean Long said Fiji is "firmly established" as one of the top ten international destinations for Australians.
"The Pacific offers something few destinations can match: a genuine overseas holiday on Australia's doorstep," Mr Long said.
"Short flights, easy connections and great value mean you spend less time getting there and more time relaxing.
"That's why it remains a firm favourite for so many Australians, from young families to retirees and everyone in between."
Flying from Brisbane or Sydney, travellers can nab direct return flights to an island paradise, such as Brisbane to Vanuatu from $576 or Sydney to Fiji from $599.
Travellers flying from Melbourne stop over in Sydney or Brisbane, with discounted return flights to Vanuatu starting at $679.
Aussie travellers are increasingly opting for tropical holidays, as one in every 30 international trips taken by Australians is to the Pacific Islands
Overseas departure data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows trips to Fiji were up almost 14 per cent year-on-year as of August 2025.
When to fly, and book
The discounted flight dates align with ideal times to visit the islands, Qantas said.
Flights to Fiji are on offer between January 26 and March 22, 2027, when summer holiday crowds thin out and the tropical weather is at its best.
Norfolk Island flights are discounted between June and August, just in time for Bounty Day on June 8.
For those keen to see Noumea, the discounted flights fall between February and August as the cooler, drier months are perfect to explore the area's UNESCO World Heritage-listed lagoon.
Travellers who want to swim with whales in Tonga can fly after July 24, as they arrive in the area to breed and calve.
The flight sale is open for a short window, ending at midnight on October 26.
What to do
South Pacific Pocket Guide owner Robin Censure said a trip to the Pacific Islands doesn't have to be spent lazing around in the resort, it can be a rich cultural experience.
"A fly and flop is wasted in Fiji, there is so much to see beyond the resort," the travel guide said.
For those seeking an off-the-beaten-track adventure on their Fiji island holiday, Ms Censure recommends heading to Savusavu in Vanua Levu or the island of Taveuni.
"In Savusavu, we love driving and soaking up the vibe of the town and its waterfront, checking out the local market, and visiting the natural hot springs where locals still cook their food in the steaming ground," she said.
"It is also a fantastic base for snorkelling, diving and visiting local pearl farms."
The island of Taveuni is "epic for nature lovers," Ms Censure said.
"Think hiking the Lavena Coastal Walk to hidden waterfalls, swimming at the Tavoro Waterfalls, diving the famous Rainbow Reef and standing on the 180-degree meridian line.
"It is quiet, lush and feels a world away from the main tourist areas."
For those seeking an authentic experience, the travel guide recommends taking a hike that passes by villages to get a sense of everyday life.
"For food, the best way is to go about by car and stop at the roadside stalls," she said.
"Watching the locals make your kai in front of you is hard to beat, and it always tastes better that way."
One of the Pacific Islands' greatest attractions is its diving and snorkelling opportunities.
For travellers looking for a reef accessible from the beach, Diveplanit dive travel consultant Simon Mallender recommends the Yasawa Islands in Fiji.
He said the Mantaray Island Resort offers excellent shore access to a large coral reef home to more than 200 species of marine life.
Those seeking a lesser-known diving or snorkelling spot should head to Tanna in Vanuatu.
"Tanna's fringing reefs are located just a few metres from Whitegrass Ocean Resort and Spa," he said.
"The reefs are truly diverse, with different colours, shapes and formations."